What are the main joints in the neck?

The neck has two main joint groups: typical cervical joints between vertebrae C2–C7 and craniovertebral joints connecting the skull to the spine. Typical joints allow flexion, extension, and lateral bending, while craniovertebral joints enable head rotation and nodding.

What types of joints make up the typical cervical joints?

Typical cervical joints include intervertebral symphyses (secondary cartilaginous joints with discs), uncovertebral joints (synovial plane joints), zygapophyseal joints (synovial plane joints), and intervertebral syndesmoses (ligamentous joints).

What movements do the craniovertebral joints allow?

Craniovertebral joints permit nodding (flexion/extension) and rotation of the head. The atlanto-occipital joints handle nodding, and the atlantoaxial joints manage rotation.

What are common clinical issues associated with typical cervical joints?

Common issues include cervical disc prolapse (often at C5–C6 or C6–C7), cervical spondylosis (degenerative changes), and zygapophyseal dislocation (e.g., at C4–C5 or C5–C6), which may lead to radiculopathy or instability.

What injuries affect the craniovertebral joints?

Key injuries are Hangman’s fracture (C2 pedicle fracture from hyperextension), odontoid fracture (dens fracture with potential cord risk), and atlas rotational injury (alar ligament rupture causing instability).

What ligaments support the craniovertebral joints?

Supporting ligaments include the cruciform ligament (with transverse and longitudinal bands), apical and alar ligaments, and membrana tectoria (a continuation of the posterior longitudinal ligament).

Why are the joints of the neck clinically significant?

They are involved in conditions like spondylosis, disc prolapse, and dislocation injuries, which can impact nerve function and spinal stability, leading to pain or neurological symptoms.

Neck Joints – Atlanto-Occipital & Atlanto-Axial Anatomy

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